Top models had to give way to the podium and million-dollar contracts for girls with disabilities. How did this happen?
Five years ago, the world of modeling did not give a single chance to someone who was different from his rigid standards. The first state of affairs managed to change the gorgeous girls: beauties of the size XXL now earn at least many podium models with parameters of 90-60-90. Their example inspired representatives of the fair sex, who could not imagine that their shortcomings would turn into virtues.
Ruby Allegra
As is often the case in the modern world, the Ruby Allegra model began her career with blogging: on her Youtube channel, she talked about trends in the world of beauty and beauty products. She was noticed and invited to several social projects designed to help girls with shortcomings of appearance stop feeling inferior. In one of them, called Underneath we are women, she posed completely naked - and absolutely did not feel shy. Cooperation with her was to the liking of Australian designers and make-up artists.
Niall DiMarco
The number of subscribers of a blue-eyed, dark-haired handsome man with an athletic figure in one of the social networks is approaching one million. He became the winner of one of the seasons "Top models in American style", with a beat of all competitors. Niall managed to interest not only model agents, but also directors: he starred in TV shows and dreams of working in feature films. His lack is absolute deafness, but she does not stop him from being a sex symbol.
Paola Antonini
The world learned about the cheerfulness of the Brazilian models when the covers of the magazines were won by Adriana Lim and Alessandra Ambrosio. But even they can not surpass in optimism the 21-year-old compatriot of celebrities named Paola Antonini. She lost her foot in a car accident, but not faith in herself. Paola travels a lot, leads the Instagram-account and demonstrates clothes on the catwalks of Brazil. Antonini tells skeptics who advise her to wear pants, not bikinis:
"Between the options to be always unhappy and to be grateful for being alive, I chose the second."
Cathy Knowles
A law student at the University of Newcastle in England is fighting for the rights of women with disabilities through a personal example. 26-year-old Katie Knowles works as a model plus size, is removed for the mass-market of brands and helps the company of Models of Diversity to search and make celebrities of people with non-glossy appearance. The strength of the spirit Knowles amazes: since childhood she has lived with terrible pains in the back, which intensify with age. Cathy laughs:
"I do not understand people who think that disability prevents us from living fully."
Rebecca Marin
In the asset Rebecca Marin, who became the first model with a bionic arm, you can find shooting for Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Teen Vogue and People Magazine. Born in the world without a forearm, the girl took part in the experiment of doctors and received a controlled arm. As an ambassador of a public organization, she travels around the world and encourages children with similar shortcomings. As a model - for a year already is the face of the Toyota car brand.
Jack Ayers
Personal fitness trainer from Great Britain Jack Ayers once saw a fashion show on Youtube and wanted to become a part of this business. The contract with him was concluded by the London agency Models of Diversity, with whom Cathy Knowles is working. Jack took part in the Fashion Week in London and Moscow. He says that his dream is to represent some brand of clothes or shoes for the disabled. In his free time, he still works with clients, making them a diet and training.
Robin Lambert
Sports successes of Robin Lambert will be envied by girls with no health problems. She, like Jack, works as a coach and very soon will perform at the next Olympic Games among disabled people in the category of racing on wheelchairs. Lambert regularly withdrew for the advertising directory Target, working as a model of women's clothing. An active lifestyle Robin does not interfere with her diagnosis: immediately after the birth of the doctors found her cerebral palsy.
Victoria Modesta
Bionic singer and model Victoria at birth had the surname of Moskalova: she was born in Latvia, but her parents took her to London. After 15 ineffective operations on a congenital dislocation of the thigh, the doctors complained that Victoria would have to limp her whole life. Modesta decided and went through an amputation of her leg to walk normally. With a bionic leg easier to manage: now Victoria is a star of clubs of international format and Milan Fashion Week. Life motto of the celebrity:
"Disability can be sexual!"
Gillian Mercado
27-year-old Gillian spent more than 15 years in a wheelchair. In adolescence, she could move herself, but later her form of muscular dystrophy became more complicated and deprived the girl of the opportunity to walk. Her parents expected her to attempt suicide, and Mercado herself decided to become a full-fledged person. She does not consider herself to be limited: she attends the Fashion Week as a regular guest, leads a blog about trends and is removed for several advertising agencies.
Cathy Mead
Model with Down syndrome Kathy Meade considers fashion shows boring: she specializes in working with beauty brands. The brand Beauty & Pin-Ups specializes in hair care products and repeatedly chooses Katie as the face of new products. The former Paralympic athlete is not afraid of experimenting with styling and hair color: she believes that she teaches women to be self-confident by personal example. An example for imitation, to which she is constantly oriented, Mead calls Jennifer Lopez.
Jamie Brewer
The 32-year-old actress and model Jamie Brewer suffers from the same disease as Cathy Meade. She managed to achieve more significant successes than Cathy: Jamie starred in the episodes of the cult series "The American story of horror" and became a star on TV. After a wave of popularity, she was invited to the New York Fashion Week and offered to name her own dress. Jamie, recently awarded for the inspiration of people with disabilities, says:
"I feel that being a role model is a great inspiration."